Tag: same-sex marriage

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Oregon-based Nike launches PAC with goal of legalizing marriage equality

Nike - sporting goods giant - launches new PAC to support passage of marriage equality in Oregon

Sporting goods giant Nike Inc. has recently created a political action committee with the specific goal of legalizing marriage equality in Oregon.

Nike’s statement issued Tuesday afternoon says:

Nike is fully supportive of the initiative to create marriage equality so our employees are treated fairly and with respect in the workplace and the community.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strive to treat our employees equally. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows us to attract and retain world class talent. For Oregon businesses to attract and retain the best talent, we need fair and equitable laws that treat all Oregonians equally and prevent discrimination.”

To support the efforts to bring marriage equality to Oregon, Nike has created the Nike Equality PAC to help raise funds from Nike-affiliated donors in support of marriage equality. We chose to set up the Nike Equality PAC so that Nike, and its employees if they choose, have a specific avenue to support campaign efforts that are directly related to winning marriage equality in Oregon.

The PAC will give employees a specific avenue to support efforts, such as the Oregon United for Marriage campaign, that are directly related to winning marriage equality for the state. The Portland Business Journal notes that the company donated $100,000 to start the PAC, with its executives donating the remaining $180,000.

“Nike has just stood up for marriage equality in an unprecedented way, with a monumental financial contribution to support the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative,” said Mike Marshall, campaign manager for Oregon United for Marriage. “Nike has been a leader for marriage equality, and this incredible move puts Nike out front among Oregon businesses who are taking a stand for winning the freedom to marry for Oregon’s same-sex couples. We are so proud and grateful for their generous support.”

The PAC begins with $280,000: A $100,000 contribution from Nike and another $180,000 from Nike executives.

Nearly 20 years ago, Nike was one of the first companies to extend benefits to same-sex couples.

In 2011, Nike was one of the 60 companies that filed an amicus brief opposing DOMA.

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New Mexico: Former Attorney General Patricia Madrid pens op-ed in favor of marriage equality

Former Attorney General of New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, has penned an op-ed for the Albuquerque Journal in support of marriage equality as the state Supreme Court mulls over it’s decision.

Ms. Madrid closes with this:

“Some will recall that as attorney general, I stopped the Rio Rancho county clerk from issuing marriage licenses. But that had nothing to do with the constitutionality of same-sex marriage and everything to do with individual county clerks acting on their own without the law behind them.

“I applaud the clerks for asking for a swift resolution by the state Supreme Court of the current checkerboard, where some counties grant marriage licenses and others do not.

“While I’m hopeful the state Supreme Court will grant marriage equality in New Mexico, I believe that is where the issue should be decided. The Legislature should resist any temptation to continue to make marriage a divisive issue.

“New Mexico has always been a land of freedom, of live and let live, and we all try to apply the Golden Rule — to treat others as we want to be treated ourselves.

“To me, that speaks directly to the freedom to marry.

“Marriage has been the cornerstone of my life, and I hope that soon in New Mexico, our gay and lesbian friends, neighbors and family members can have that same mix of celebration and security.”

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Cheney family infighting over marriage equality

So, this is how it began…

First, 2014 US Senate candidate Liz Cheney had this to say on Fox News Sunday:

“I don’t believe we ought to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. If people are in a same-sex relationship and they want their partner to be able to have health benefits or be designated as a beneficiary on their life insurance, there’s no reason we shouldn’t do that. I also doesn’t support amending the constitution on this issue. I do believe it’s an issue that got to be left up to the states. I do believe in the traditional definition of marriage. Listen, I love Mary very much. I love her family very much. This is just an issue on which we disagree.”

Then, Liz’s sister-in-law Heather Poe, wife of Mary Cheney, responded on her Facebook page:

“I was watching my sister-in-law on Fox News Sunday (yes Liz, in fifteen states and the District of Columbia you are my sister-in-law) and was very disappointed to hear her say ‘I do believe in the traditional definition of marriage.’ Liz has been a guest in our home, has spent time and shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I got married in 2012 – she didn’t hesitate to tell us how happy she was for us. To have her now say she doesn’t support our right to marry is offensive to say the least. I can’t help but wonder how Liz would feel if as she moved from state to state, she discovered that her family was protected in one but not the other. I always thought freedom meant freedom for EVERYONE.”

And then, Mary Cheney, added this to the above, which she re-posted to her own Facebook page:

“Couldn’t have said it better myself. Liz – this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree – you’re just wrong – and on the wrong side of history.”

Heather Poe and Mary Cheney

(via JMG)

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LGBT advocates applaud passage of marriage equality in Hawaii

Coming right after thrilling wins in Illinois and New Jersey, our Hawaii triumph really underscores how far we’ve come.
From Freedom To Marry via press release:

Coming right after thrilling wins in Illinois and New Jersey, our Hawaii triumph really underscores how far we’ve come.

We still have a lot to do to finish the job. But as shown by the hard-fought, long-sought win in Hawaii and our other recent victories, when we work together, we get it done.

Because of this work, millions of Americans have evolved into a national majority for marriage. Today, Hawaii’s leaders have joined them by opening their hearts and changing their minds, writing this latest chapter in America’s history of liberty and justice for all.

 

From Human Rights Campaign via press release:

This is another chapter in an exciting string of victories this year. But more than that, it’s proof that hard work, long-term dedication, and the support of individuals from around the country (including YOU) can make the difference when it comes to securing basic rights for loving couples.

Hawaii was one of the first states to begin fighting for marriage equality, and helped raise this question of fundamental rights to a national consciousness. And though our progress has ebbed and flowed over the years, today we can finally claim victory.

 

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Hawaii Senate passes marriage equality in final vote 19-4

The state Senate of Hawaii just passed marriage equality by 19-4 in the final vote on the issue.

The Senate had passed the legislation on October 30th by a vote of 20-4.

Due to some minor amendments passed with the bill in the state House, the Senate had to take one more technical vote before sending to Gov. Abercrombie’s desk.

Marriage equality is set to begin December 2nd.

Celebrate kids!  Happy Dance Time!

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Marriage News Watch – November 11, 2013

From AFER:

It’s been a busy week, with marriage bills just days away from becoming laws in Illinois and Hawaii.

By the end of 2013, the percentage of the population living in states that have passed marriage bills will have doubled in just one year.

So, what’s next? Believe it or not, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Montana have all shown signs of progress this week.

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Idaho lawsuit filed on behalf of marriage equality

And today we add Idaho to the ever-growing list of lawsuits filed on behalf of marriage equality.

Via press release from the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, four same-sex couples filed a federal lawsuit in Boise challenging Idaho’s laws that prohibit same-sex couples from marrying and refuse to respect the legal marriages of same-sex couples who married in other states.

The couples, all from Boise, include university instructors, a teacher of deaf children, and a military veteran who served with the Idaho National Guard in Iraq. Three of the couples are raising children together.

The lawsuit argues that Idaho’s laws barring same-sex couples from marrying and prohibiting the state from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples who married in other states violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.

The couples are Sue Latta and Traci Ehlers, Lori and Sharene Watsen, Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, and Amber Beierle and Rachael Robertson. They are represented by Boise attorneys Deborah A. Ferguson and Craig Durham and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).

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Illinois: Marriage equality to be signed into law November 20th

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will sign marriage equality into law on November 20th at the University of Illinois

Governor Pat Quinn announced Thursday that he will sign the marriage equality bill at the University of Illinois at Chicago in a 3:30 p.m. ceremony on November 20th. The Legislature passed the measure Tuesday.

A longtime same-sex marriage supporter, the Chicago Democrat says he’s looking forward to signing the legislation and “celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois.”

The University of Illinois at Chicago was recently named by Campus Pride Index as one of the top 25 campuses across the country for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Illinois becomes the 15th state in the union to legalize marriage equality

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Hawaii: Marriage equality moves forward in state House on second reading

The Capitol building in Hawaii

It’s looking like the final vote for marriage equality in the Hawaii state House could be Friday:

In a roll call vote, House lawmakers voted 30-18 to move forward the bill for a final reading, with three members excused. The bill will go to a last vote on Friday.

If the measure passes the House, it will have to be approved by the state Senate because of three amendments added during a House committee hearing.

The vote came after several rejected attempts on Wednesday to modify and change the bill, plus smaller votes that revealed majority support to move along the measure.

If the sessions go as planned, the House will vote on the bill Friday, allowing the Senate to give its final approval Tuesday before forwarding the bill to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called the special session. Abercrombie has said he approves of the bill as amended by the House.

The big surprise last night came when openly lesbian Democratic Rep. Jo Jordan of Waianae said she would oppose the bill despite her personal beliefs. Sad to say, it would appear the five days of anti-gay testimony swayed her opinion.

“I might vote against something that I personally believe in. I personally believe I should have the right,” Jordan said. “You know how hard it is for me to say no? I have to say no.”

As it currently stands, if the bill passes in current form marriage equality would begin in Hawaii on December 2, 2013.

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Updated marriage equality map for USA

Updated map of USA showing where marriage equality has passed into law as of November 6, 2013

Yesterday, marriage equality legislation was passed by the state legislature with a 61–54 vote in the house and a 32–21 vote in the senate.

The bill will now go to the Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will sign it.

Gay couples will be able to marry in Illinois starting June 1.

Celebrate Illinois!  Happy Dance Time!

(graphic via Slate)